Abstract: An agent which can play a comparable or superior role to LS in improvement of intestinal tract function, enhancement of immune function, suppression of production of a putrefactive product, improvement of bowel movement or the like and an agent which can play a role in protection of the intestinal tract from a food emulsifier, a lipid peroxide or the like are provided. An intestinal tract function-improving agent, an immunoenhancing agent, a putrefactive product production-suppressing agent, a bowel movement-improving agent and an intestinal tract protection agent each containing a cyclodextrin as an active ingredient are provided. they can play a comparable or superior role to LS in improvement of intestinal tract function, enhancement of immune function, suppression of production of a putrefactive products, improvement of bowel movement or the like and the agent which can play a role in protection of the intestinal tract from a food emulsifier, a lipid peroxide or the like.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for preparing a water extract of ashwagandha, which comprises increasing the amounts of withanone and withaferin A contained as active ingredients in the water extract of ashwagandha leaves. In addition, it is another object of the present invention to more economically and simply provide a pharmaceutical composition comprising ashwagandha leaves. The present invention relates to a method for preparing a water extract of ashwagandha leaves, which comprises extracting ashwagandha leaves with water in the presence of cyclodextrin, and a method for enhancing the anticancer activity of the water extract of ashwagandha leaves. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing cancer, comprising the water extract of ashwagandha leaves. The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising dry powders of ashwagandha leaves and cyclodextrin.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a process for producing an aqueous solution containing a fat-soluble substance. A combination of a super dissolution aid, cyclodextrin and a fat-soluble substance or a combination of the super dissolution aid and a cyclodextrin complex of the fat-soluble substance is used for dissolving the fat-soluble substance, whereby it becomes possible to provide an aqueous solution containing the fat-soluble substance at a high concentration and an aqueous solution having improved transdermal absorbability of the fat-soluble substance contained therein.

Abstract: A method of preparing carboxylic acid derivatives comprising mixing a quaternary ammonium salt having a particular triazine ring in the molecules thereof, a carboxylic acid compound and a compound having a nucleophilic functional group, to condense the carboxylic acid with the compound having the nucleophilic functional group. The invention further provides a condensing agent comprising the quaternary ammonium salt. The condensation is conducted under mild conditions to form carboxylic acid derivatives and, particularly, amide compounds or ester compounds maintaining high yields.